May 24, 2013
A Senate committee passed an elections bill that will allow expanded early voting and more early voting polling sites.
But Democrats on the Senate and Elections Committee opposed the bill Monday, saying it doesn't go far enough in expanding access to voting. The bill was approved 8-5 on a party lines vote.
The bill (SB 600) calls for at least eight and up to 14 early voting days, including the Sunday before election day. Republicans passed a bill two years ago that cut early voting days from 14 to eight.
House Democrats supported a similar measure (HB 7013) that passed the chamber on the first day of session. Senate Democrats sought several amendments they said would make access to voting easier. All were rejected by Republicans.
